Weight-Sensing Technology

Using new load-bearing sensor technology, Air-Weigh is expanding its product line to include on-board weighing systems for mechanical and hydraulic suspensions. The system differs from double-shear beam load-cell sensors used on non-air suspensions, which require secondary amplification and processing equipment to be able to operate on a vehicle. Air-Weigh’s new load sensor incorporates fully integrated amplification and processing into the loading beam itself.

The result is a product that is ideal for dump applications, the company says. The system can convert hydraulic pressure in the dynamic dumping ram to accurately determine the weight in the forward end of the dump body. It uses either hinge-mounted load-cells or suspension-mounted air pressure transducers to determine the rear weight. The result is an accurate determination of the payload weight of the dump body, according to Air-Weigh.

When installed on a tractor/trailer combination, the trailer portion of the scale system can be totally independent of the tractor. An in-cab display is available, and no second connector is required between tractor and trailer as the system uses multiplexing to communicate over the existing blue wire in the J-560 connection.

In a straight dump truck application, the weight is displayed in the cab and on the dump body siderail for the loader’s convenience. If a trailer is operated in combination with the dump truck, those weights are also displayed on the siderail and are automatically displayed in the cab whenever the trailer is connected to an Air-Weigh equipped truck. The Air-Weigh scale system includes a complete set of selectable alarm settings to assist loaders in maximizing capacity without overloading.